The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Ignition sw keys

I have a 3 pole ignition switch w/mounting ears on body that match-up w/bracket and allow for flush mounting in dash. I have one key that allows a short throw from the 12 to 2 o'clock position.It checks out ok electrically. I can also function the switch w/out the key. This tells me the little guys inside are frozen or non-existant. I want to remove the tumbler, so I turn the key and insert the pin into small hole in face, feel the pin depress and thats it. NADA, one hour of NADA What am I doing wrong??

Depending on your ing. switch && year of your truck some are made to be able to move w/o the keys in them.
As for removing the tumblers, after you insert the pin you need to turn the inj.switch one way or the other & then you should be able to pull it out....Joe

Sometimes the wind has to be blowing just right and your right foot has to be 12 degrees to the left with your tongue hanging halfway out.
If youre feeling the little spring depress,youre on the right track. The key has to be in the lock.It almost takes an extra set of hands to pull on the key/tumbler assembly while youre pushing the paper clip in and holding the whole mess.
Ive done a bunch,,and fooled with them for what seems like hours and all of a sudden,it almost falls out in my lap.
If you have the proper key,it should move the tumbler to all positions.
Good Luck,

Thanks to the both of you. I spent the better part of an hour depressing n pulling. I'm starting to wonder if the key actually matches the tumbler. Or are the insides so messed up that any key will fit? In which case extracting the subject becomes more of a challange, thanks again! and if y'all have any extra rain out there, send it our way, cause we're hurting!

And Quote from delux54panel
"If you have the proper key, it should move the tumbler to all positions." Try to be in the lock (far left) position to remove the cylinder.


Both ZooKeeper and delux54panel are accurate with their info and steering you in the right direction.

I just wanted to add.

If the key is correct for your cylinder tumbler, it should move to all positions. It sounds like either the key is wore down a lot or it is the wrong key. The key may be close, but not exact.


When you turn the key and insert the pin into small hole in face, and then you "feel" the pin depress YOU THEN NEED TO PULL THE PIN OUT EVER SO SLIGHTLY and turn key to left a HALF A HAIR and then depress PIN IN AGAIN.

It sounds to me that the pin is not being depressed fully OR the insides are messed up.

Removing the tumbler can be "fun" without the correct key, or with messed up tumbler, etc, but it can be done with patience and persistence.

Brian

What year truck/switch are we talking about here? I have a ring of abt. 75 chevrolet keys,,there hasnt been too many ign. switches i couldnt find a key for.

Thanks to all for the valued input! Final word on the ignition switch, The Key did not match the innards, the innards are FUBAR, and it's time for the drill press and surgury. Thanks again!